Rotor construction for ensilage cutters



June 6, 1950 A a. HILL RomoR CONSTRUCTION Fon ENSILAGE cuTTERs 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 1, 1948 June 6, 1950 G. B. HILL RoToR CONSTRUCTION FOR ENSILAGE cuTTERs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l, 1948 f bar.

Patented June 6, 1950 RT CNSTRUCTIN FOR ENSILAGE CUTTERS GorgeB'. Hill, Ottumwa, Iowa, assignor to Deere Manufacturing Co., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa- Application March 1, 1948, Serial No. 12,418

(Cl. 14S-40S) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved rotor construction for an ensilagel cutter or like means. More particularly, the invention relatesto irnproved hub structure for such rotors and to improved means for carrying the blades or knives of the cutter.

In an ensilag'e cutter or like means, material to be cut is fed along a dened path toward a cutting rotor which is mounted forrotation on an axis generally parallel to the path of material feeding, and a plurality of radialbladesror knives on the rotor cooperateA with a transverse shear bar, over which the materialis fed, to reduce the material.

Rotor constructions general are of two well-known types; in' one' type the rotor comprises a disk of relatively large diameter and` to one face ofi which is' attached a plurality' of radial knives or blades; in another type of. rotor, the basic components thereof include a central hub structure from which a plurality of arms: extend radially to carry the cutting' knivesf Inl a rotor of the first type, the circular disk places a definite limitation uponthe lengths intowhich the material can be cut, since the circular disk forms a stop past which thel material cannot move as it is fed to the rotor or cutter housing. In the second type of rotor, the knife-carrying arms pro vide. spokes and do not establish stops limiting the inward feeding of the material.y In" either case, however,r the manner-'in which. the knife is carried on the rotor may seriously affect the feeding and cutting of material, inasmuch as the knife must be carried at that face ofthe rotor toward which the material is fed.; and, as a practi'cal matter, the supporting structure Vfor' such knife is necessarily carried at the same face. It is desirable, therefore, that such supporting struc'- ture be of such. nature that it can be arranged as remotely as possible from the general plane of cutting, which plane is normal to the rotating axis of the rotor and includesv the cutting edges of: thef knives and the transverse edge of the shear The principal object ofthe' present invention is to provide an irriproved'knife-carrying structure vwhich meets the foregoing requirements and enables the rotor tobe constructed in such manner as to accommodate adjustment in the feeding mechanism to cut the' material into desired lengths, and particularly into longer lengths than have been heretoforeV obtainable; Another object of the invention relates to improved means for adjustingthe cutting knives, such means being disposed'relatively remote with respect tolthegenveralA cutting plane". Y

Rotors of the generaktype referred' to operate at relatively high speeds and therefore must have the capacity' to withstand the tendency to disini tegrate during operation. This desired result can, of course, be obtained by heavier types' of constructions, but it is found that meeting the requirement in this manner increases the size and cost of the rotor. Accordingly, it is another ob ject of ther invention to provide an improved rotor construction preferably comprising a fabricated structure in which the components are rigidly secured together, as by welding, and to utilize in this structure specially selected material sections determined to give the greatest strengthy at the lowest cost consistent with requirements set" up by manufacturing and operating conditions. In

this respect, it is another object of the invention to provide a construction that is light in weight but which does not sacrifice the necessary inertia characteristics that must be retained to provide for the most eiicient operation of the rotor.

The foregoing and other desirable and important objects and features encompassed by and inherent in the invention will become apparent toY those skilled in the art as' a disclosure is more fully made of a preferred form of the invention in the following detailed descriptiony and the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which Figure l is a general front elevational View, with portions broken away to conserve space in the drawing, of that side of the improved rotor toward which the material is fed;

Figure 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, as viewedV along the line 2--2 of Figure 1 Figure 3' is atransverse sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2- and showing the back side of the' rotor hub structure;

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing an enlarged detail of the knife and knife-supporting structure, together with illustrations of portions of the feeding mechanism and the shear bar with which the knife cooperates;

Figure 5- is afragmentary perspective View takeny from that side of the rotor toward which the material is fed and showing thedetairls ofA a knife and knife-supporting member; and

Figure 6 is a similar perspective View showing the knife-supporting memberv per se.

rEhe ensilage cutter or other machine inv which the improved rotor construir-:tionv may be used may be of any weil known construction' and unessential details: thereof have been omitted from the present illustration. In Figure 41 there are shown certain of thev basic parte'v common to such machine. TheA numerals IG*- and H indicate,

' rrespectively,y upper and lower" feed rolls' which comprise part of feeding mechanism for feeding material along a generally defined path AB toward a rotor or cutter, designated generally by the numeral I2, carried in a suitable housing (not shown). The direction of material feeding is indicated by the arrow, as are the directions of rotation of the feed rolls Ill and i I. The material `fed along the `path AB passes over a transverse shear bar I3 having a transverse front edge which lies in a plane generally normal to the path AB and designated in Figure 4 by the line CD. The construction described thus far may be very similar to that shown in U. S. Pat ent 2,313,872.

The improved rotor construction comprises a central structure or hub including a rotor shaft I4 and first and second plates I5 and i3. Each of the plates is in the form of a perfect square and each is centrally apertured to receive the rotor shaft III. The plate I5 is rigidly secured to the shaft Ill for rotation therewith, the securing means preferably including welding, as at Il (Figure 2). |The plate I5 is likewise secured, as by welding at I8, to the shat I4, the two plates being disposed on the shaft in an axially spaced relation to provide a pair of radial portions extending from the shaft. The plates are mounted on the shaft I4 in such manner that the diagonal of the plate I5 is angularly related to the diagm onal of the plate I6, the purpose of which will appear below. The plate I5 is also considerably larger than the plate I5.

The plates I5 and l provide the basic hub structure of the rotor and further provide means for carrying four generally radially extending knife-supporting structures or arms, each indicated generally by the numeral i3. Since each knife-supporting structure or arm I3 is similar in construction, only one will be described it will be understood that the details thereof are repeated in the other structures. Each arm E3 is in the form of an angle iron having first and second angularly related flanges 23 and 2! (Figure 6). The angle iron is mounted on the hub structure between the plates l5 and i5 in such manner as to extend generally radially therefrom, with the principal axis of the arm forming, in effect, an extension or continuation of the edge of the small plate I5, it being understood that the four sides of the square plate serve in this manner to locate and mount the four arms i3. The outer surface of the flange ZI is rigidly se cured to the proximate portion of the inner face of the square plate I5, preferably by welding along a line indicated generally by the numeral 22 in Figure 5. The flange 2i is preferably divided into a first portion 23 at the inner end of the arm I9 and a comparatively longer portion (Figure 6) at the outer portion of the arm I9. The relationship between the first flange 23 and the rst portion 23 of the second flange 2 l is such that the flange portion 23 is at a right angle to the flange 2B, the former extending integrally into the latter through an intermediate portion 25 which is inclined to both the flange 23 and the rst flange portion 23. The outer flange portion 24 is separated from the flange portions 23-25 by a slot 26 and the general inclination thereof is such as to place this flange portion at an obtuse angle to the uninterrupted flange 2i?. An examination of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 will show the relationship between the portions referred to and will further indicate that the slot 26 is, when the arm I9 is assembled on the plate I5, substantially at the edge of the square plate I5 which is at right angles to the edge along which the arm I 9 has its principal axis. The three edges bounding the inner flange portion 23 are rigidly secured to the inner face of the plate I5, preferably by welding, as indicated at 21 in Figures 3 and 5.

Since the arms I9 are located on or with respect to the small plate I5 in such manner as to extend respectively from the four edges or sides of the square defining the plate I5, the inner portions of the arms meet and are related, as in Figure 3, to dene a square around the intermediate portion of the shaft I4. The inner end portions oi the arms I9 abut and are secured together, as by welding along the lines indicated at 28. The welding of the inner ends of the arms at 28 to each other will coincide somewhat with the welding of the portions 23 along the lines 2l as referred to above. In addition, the inner end portions of the arms are welded to the shaft III at the location designated by the numeral 29.

The arrangement with respect to the inner portion of the arms I9 and the plates I5 and I6 is such that the nange portion 23 is secured to the inner face of the plate I5 as aforesaid. The proximate portion of the flange 20 extends axially away from the plate I5 and toward the plate I6, thus providing an axial projection which presents a free edge lying along the inner face of the larger plate. Inasmuch as the plate I6 is turned on the shaft with respect to the plate I5 so that the diagonals of the two squares are angularly related, the four corners of the larger square lie on the projected edges of the iianges 20 just referred to, as at 3E) (Figure 1). The disposition of the larger plate I6 in this manner provides the greatest radial extent of the plate with respect to the supporting of the arms I9. This edge of the flange 20 is welded to the inner face of the plate I6, as at 3l (Figure l) and also at 32 (Figf ure 4) The hub structure is thus of strong, light weight construction and does not rely upon the use of expensive and heavy castings. The manner of securing together the components comprising the arms i3 and plates I5 and I 6 and shaft I4 is such that these parts tend to mutually reenforce each other. i

The radially outwardly extending portion of each arm I3 that includes the angularly related flange portions 2li and 24 provides means for supporting a cutting blade or knife, indicated generally by the numeral 3'3. As best seen in Figure 4, the inclination of the ange portion 24 is such as to present at the outer face of the flange a surface 33 that is inclined in a leading direction and toward the general cutting plane CD. The knife 33 is a plate-like element which khas inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being mounted on the outer surface 34 of the flange 24 and the outer surface being presented to the incoming material fed by the feed rolls Il] and I I over the shear bar I3. The knife 33 is provided with a leading angularly related portion 35 which is ground on the inside, at 36, to provide a sharpened leading or cutting edge. The trailing portion of the knife 33, or that portion thereof that extends axially inwardly away from the cutting plane CD, lies closely parallel or along the juncture between the flange portions 2Q and 24, as indicated in Figure 4 at 3l.

Each knife-supporting arm I9`is .provided with means for carrying the knife for adjustment. This means is best shown in Figure 5 as including a pair of angled members 38, each having .a rst leg portion 39 and a second leg portion 40. The leg portion 39 lies on top of the flange 26 and is apertured and recessed to receive a pair of cap screws 4l which are threaded into appropriately tapped bores 42 in the flange. 2,0. The juncture of the legs 39 and 4U provides a slightly offset portion 43, the interior of which is spaced in a trailing direction with respect to the trailing edge 31 of the knife 33. This portion 43 is drilled and tapped at 44 to receive an adjusting screw 45 forming part of an adjusting device for adjusting the knife 33. The adjusting screw 45 further includes a lock nut 46 threaded thereon.

As best shown in Figure 4, the leg 4U is so related to the flange portion 24 that the two portions form generally a bifurcated structure defining a slot within which the knife 33 is carried, the closed end of the slot being defined by the portion 43 of the angled member 38 and the open end of the slot being disposed in a leading direction so that the knife 33 may project therefrom. Each leg portion 4l! of the angled member 38 is provided with a tapped bore 41 which is aligned with an aperture 33 in the flange lportion 24. A cap screw 49 passes through the 'aperture 4B, through a slot 5f) in the knife 33 and is threaded into the tapped bore 41 in the angled member 38.

The leading edge of the leg 4E! on each angled.

member 38 is ground off, as at 5| to remove it as far as possible from the cutting plane CD. Likewise, the inner leading edge of the flange portion 24 is ground off at 52 to give the greatest possible effect to the leading or cutting edge of the knife 33. The inclination of the outer surface of the angled member 38 is the same as that of the knife 33 and the outer or mounting surface 34 of the flange 24, as is the axis of the -adjusting screw 45. The arrangement is such that the mounting and adjusting components are rela- En,

tively remote from the cutting plane CD and are substantially ineffective as positive stops for incoming material fed by the feed rolls ID and Il; that is to say, if it is desired to cut the material in relatively long lengths, the supporting and adjusting components for the knife 33 are so remotely positioned axially inwardly of the cutting plane CD as to form practically no obstacle to the inward movement of material along the path AB, it being borne in mind that the rotor is of the spoked type (including arms i 9). Material cut by the knives is propelled through the usual discharge duct (not shown) by means of paddles 53, one welded to the outer end of each arm I9.

The foregoing description is, of course, based upon only a preferred embodiment of the invention and the description of the structural aspects thereof and the objects achieved thereby is not intended to exclude variations but rather to explain the basic principles of the invention in a manner that will enable the invention to be intelligently practiced. The present disclosure should therefore be taken as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In a machine of the class described including a rotor and means for feeding material axially inwardly thereto, the improvement comprising: a knife support on the rotor including a first surface extending radially outwardly'from the axis of the rotor and inclined to the general plane of rotation thereof in a leading direction and axially outwardly thereof, and further having a second angularly related and trailing surface extending axially inwardly from the first sur- 6 face; al plate-like knife extending radially along the knife support and having inner and outer surfaces, the former of which lies onthe first surface of the knife support so that the knife has substantially the same inclination as said surface and extends therefrom in a leading direction to provide a leading sharpened edge and further having a trailing edge generally at the juncture of said first and second surfaces; an angled member having one leg engaging the outer surface of the knife and terminating short of the leading edge thereof, and a second leg extending axially inwardly over the trailing edge of the knife and overlying the aforesaid second surface of the knife support; means securing said second leg to the knife support at said second surface; means, including a. fastening element and slot, adjustably securing the knife to the rst surface of the knife support and also to the first leg of the angled member; and an adjusting member movably carried by the second leg and engaging the trailing edge of the knife for shifting the knife in a leading direction.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: the knife support comprises an angle iron having angularly related flanges providing the aforesaid first and second surfaces.

' 3. In a machine of the class described, a rotor construction comprising: a shaft; first and second generally parallel plates axially spaced apart and rigidly secured to the shaft; a plurality of arms extending generally radially outwardly from the shaft axis, each arm comprising an angle iron having first and second right-angled flanges at its radially innermost end fitting between the plates, the first of said flanges extending axially across between the plates and having a free edge lying along the first plate and an opposite edge that joins the second flange lying along the second plate, and the second flange lying fiat against said second plate; means securing the free and opposite edges of the first flange respectively to said plates; means securing the second flange to said second plate; said first flange extending radially from the plates and lying in the same plane generally throughout its length, and the second flange also extending radially from the plates but bent just outwardly of the plates along its juncture with the first flange to form an obtuse angle with said first flange.

4. In a machine of the class described, a rotor construction comprising: a shaft; a rotor hub including first and second generally parallel radial portions axially spaced apart and rigidly secured to the shaft; a plurality of arms extending generally radially outwardly from the shaft axis, each arm comprising an angle iron having first and second right-angled flanges at its radially innermost end fitting between the radial portions, the first of said flanges extending axially across between the radial portions and having a free edge lying along the first radial portion and an opposite edge that joins the second flange lying along the second radial portion, and the second flange lying flat against the second radial portion; means securing the free and opposite edges of the first flange respectively to the first and second radial portions; means securing the second flange to said second radial portion; said first flange extending radially from the radial portions and lying in the same plane generally throughout its length, and the second flange also extending' radially from the plates but bent just 7 outwardly of the hub along its juncture with the rst ange to form an obtuse angle with said rst flange.

GEORGE B. HILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Ganzhorn July 16, 1912 Wolforsdorf Sept. 4, 1917 Ganzhorn Feb. 10, 1920 Hill Mar. 16, 1943 Payzer Nov. 13, 1945 

